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Championing the therapeutic value of creative expression

Mississauga Arts Council’s ArtsCare Initiatives

MAC’s ArtsCare initiatives have included awarding the Arts for Mental Health Award since 2018, organizing the Arts for Mental Health Conference with Mass Culture in 2021, and their ArtsCare Programming MicroGrants that help put these pilot programs into action.

About the A4MH Conference

MAC in partnership with Mass Culture presented our virtual Arts for Mental Health Conference on October 6, 2021. This timely conference brought together artists, medical practitioners, and policy makers to demonstrate the impact and benefits the arts have on the mental well-being of individuals, with the goal being a pilot arts for mental health program in Peel Region.

ArtsCare Resources

MAC looked into studies on the impact of arts on overall health and wellness. The startling healthcare benefits cited by provincial, national, and international reports, studies, and surveys guided our approach to the conference, and sparked the Arts + Mental Health Datathon was a three-day event, running from September 7-9, 2021.

ArtsCare Programming

Mississauga Arts Council is a champion of Arts Care Programming in Mississauga. Through MAC’s MicroGrant program, artists are able to fund and create therapeutic arts programs to benefit those suffering from mental health conditions. These programs also create a resource of the possibilities and outcomes of Arts Care services.

Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription

Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) presents a two-year Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription Program to Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

On November 30th, 2023, Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) presented a new Proposal for a Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription Program in Mississauga, written by art psychotherapist, Haley Toll, to the Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. This pilot program is the next step to furthering MAC’s ArtsCare initiatives to make creative experiences and activities available to residents as a non-pharmacological solution to improving mental health. 

Arts for Mental Health Award 2023

Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) is pleased to announce the winner the 2023 
Arts for Mental Health Award, Sybil. Rampen.

Mike Douglas (MAC), Hon. Minister Tibollo (Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ontario), Sybil Rampen, Andrea Peca (EveryMind for Bell Canada), and Nina Tangri (MPP Mississauga-Streetsville)

Sponsored by Bell Canada, this award recognizes the work of individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to arts for mental
health initiatives. This year’s award was presented at MAC’s gala fundraiser for the arts, the MACsquerade Ball, on November 30th, 2023 at Le Treport

Arts + Mental Conference

October 6 2021, 1 – 5pm EDT

Mississauga Arts Council in partnership with Mass Culture presented the Arts for Mental Health Conference, bringing together thought leaders from the arts and medical fields to map a way forward for the integration of the arts into mental health practices.

A4MH Full Conference Video
A4MH Conference Highlights
A4MH Doctor Focus Group

Arts for Health News

Mississauga Arts Council: Health Through the Arts (Rick Muller, City Life Magazine)

City Life Magazine article on the introduction of Mississauga Arts Council's Pilot ArtsCare Social P…

Sound and sight: Anna Silgardo – We are all unique (Douglas McLean, Doppler Online)

Doppler Online (Hunstville) article on Anna Silgardo's Artist in Momentum programming for self disco…

Mississauga Arts Council presents a two-year Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription Program to Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

On November 30th, 2023, Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) presented a new Proposal for a Pilot ArtsCare…

On February 9, 2022, The Honourable Patricia Bovey (F.R.S.A., Senator) asked a question to Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, (P.C., M.P., Minister of Health) during the Senate Debate. Senator Bovey has been a long advocate of leveraging the impact of the benefit arts and culture have on health.

Want to know more?

Contact us to learn more about the conference and how you can get involved. This is the start of a movement to bring the arts and health sectors together, and we look forward to your participation.